North Dakota LIVING March 2012 by Forum Communications Printing

Darwin Peterson is both a farmer and a pilot. But when a farm accident left him grounded with serious injuries Trinity Health helped get him on his feet. “I’ll have the chance to get back to my fields and return to the skies I love once again.” - Darwin Peterson Every day Trinity Health responds to the needs of the region delivering care that has the power to change lives.

Minot, ND - 857-5000 www.trinityhealth.org

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E

North Dakota LIVING is published monthly by

MARCH 2012 Volume 58, No. 9

white

type >>> Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives

Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative 3201 Nygren Drive NW  P.O. Box 727 Mandan NDEnergy 58554-0727 Your Touchstone Cooperative (701) 663-6501  (800) 234-0518 Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative NDAREC is a statewide association that represents North s 16 electric Your Dakota’ Touchstone Energy cooperatives. Cooperative Visit our Web site at www.ndarec.com.

North Dakota LIVING is published by North Dakota’s electric and telephone cooperatives, which take pride in advancing and enriching the quality of life in North Dakota.

ON OUR COVER COVER PHOTO BY J.C. BALCOM

Magazine Staff: Dennis Hill, CCC, editor-in-chief ................... dhill@ndarec.com Kent Brick, CCC, editor............................... kbrick@ndarec.com Edna Stoltz, center pages & publications services manager............ estoltz@ndarec.com Tammy Kear, editorial assistant ..................... tkear@ndarec.com J.C. Balcom, production & graphics services manager ............ jcbalcom@ndarec.com Carmen Devney, CCC, communications specialist............... cdevney@ndarec.com Public Relations Advisory Committee: Christine Peterson, chairwoman ............................. North Central Electric Cooperative Russ Berg ............................... Cass County Electric Cooperative David Sigloh .............. Upper Missouri G&T Electric Cooperative Don Franklund ........................... Innovative Energy Alliance, LLC Clayton Hoffman ........................ Innovative Energy Alliance, LLC Lauren Klewin .................................... Slope Electric Cooperative Jeanette Hoff ........................ Reservation Telephone Cooperative In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Advertising Sales: Clark A. Van Horn, ............................................ (800) 234-0518 advertising manager....................... cvanhorn@ndarec.com National Country Market ................................... (512) 441-5200 The Weiss Group ............................................... (480) 860-5394 Advertisements in North Dakota LIVING are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication. Product satisfaction and delivery lie solely with the advertiser. Questions about advertising in this publication should be directed to Clark A. Van Horn, advertising manager. Magazine subscriptions: One year.................. $12.00 for members of subscribing co-ops One year.............................................. $14.50 for non-members Three years ......................................... $40.00 for non-members Single copy ........................................................................ $2.00 To subscribe: Call (800) 234-0518; or visit www.ndarec.com Circulation .....................................................................72,000 Corrections, clarifications: Send to: Editor, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727 Advertising: Space order by 1st of the month prior to publication month; copy due by the 5th. For advertising rates, contact Clark A. Van Horn, advertising manager, at (800) 234-0518. © Copyright 2012, by North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. No portion of the advertising or editorial content of North Dakota LIVING may be reproduced without permission. The opinions expressed in editorial and advertising content in North Dakota LIVING do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of NDAREC. North Dakota LIVING (ISSN-1539-0063) is published monthly by the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, 3201 Nygren Drive NW, Mandan ND 58554. Change of address: Subscribing co-op members send notification of change of address to your local cooperative. Other subscribers, send mailing label with changes to: Subscription Department, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727, or e-mail tkear@ndarec.com. Postage: Periodicals nonprofit postage paid at Mandan, N.D., and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. 

Good food, close to home........... page 8

More North Dakotans are seeking fresh, locally grown foods. And as the number of farmers markets across the state continues to rise, producers are honing their gardening skills and business sense. Eat well, support local farmers and protect the health of the land .................................30 Angie and Brian McGinness (with daughter, Pearl) operate Riverbound Farm, near Mandan, as a Community Supported Agriculture afﬁliate. Part of the surging local foods movement, the family shares a homegrown, all-natural meal in this month’s Recipe Roundup, which was partially prepared from their harvests.

N E W S A N D F E AT U R E S T O R I E S N.D. wheat goes global...................... page 14

North Dakota Wheat Commission coordinates international grain sales and cultivates the friendships helping sustain these transactions.

Mild weather, oil boom keeping One-Call busy ............. page 20 North Dakota One-Call system works to assure safety, protect vital facilities.

D E PA R T M E N T S  News Connections

 Teen-2-Teen

 Editorial by Dennis Hill

 Calendar of Events

 Recipe Roundup

North Dakota LIVING adopts new look In this, we believe

 Country Line

Communications building worldwide crops sales

 Discovering Dakota

The Pathfinder — John Charles Frémont

 Reader Reply

22 24

“During the growing season, do you choose to purchase food from a grocery store or a farmers market? Explain your preference or tell us about an experience.”

Be safe, not sorry

Reverse the way you cook

 Healthy Hints by Julie Garden-Robinson 31 Are you a Locovore?

 Farm Byline by Al Gustin

 Marketplace Forum

 Advertisers’ Index

 Co-op Country

The crops we grow

Circle of life

Your local cooperative news ............... C1 Community news provided by your local cooperative. (Not in all editions.)

NORTH DAKOTA LIVING  MARCH 2012 1

NEWS CONNECTIONS

Measure 2 opponents want to ‘Keep It Local’

coalition comprised of business groups, public sector associations, nonprofits, local elected officials and concerned citizens has been formed to preserve local control by defeating measure 2 in the June primary election. “Keep It Local North Dakota” is the name of the nonpartisan coalition opposing measure 2.

At meetings launching the “Keep It Local North Dakota” coalition, Andy Peterson, N.D. Chamber of Commerce, said the property tax abolition in Measure 2 will only serve to abolish local control of public finance.

to be true.” as evidence, the coalition points to the provision in the measure that says that the Legislature must “fully and properly fund all legally imposed obligations of state government.” he said the

measure does not define what those obligations are, creating legal uncertainty. as a result, the state Legislature – not localities – would have to determine what constitutes a legally imposed obligation. n

Outdoor heritage measure petition drive

n another initiated measure front, a coalition is circulating constitutional initiated measure petitions with language that would establish dedicated funding for water, land and wildlife conservation in North Dakota. “North Dakota is at a pivotal moment. With the state’s rapid development, we have the opportunity now to invest in maintaining our clean water, our unique natural lands and our outdoors heritage,” said, Steve adair, sponsoring committee chairperson. “This fund will conserve these resources while they are still intact and help

Keith Trego, a coalition organizer, said North Dakotans need to take this constitutional amendment step to preserve natural resources current development threatens.

continued on page 3

march 2012 n NOrTh DaKOTa LIVING

www.ndarec.com

PHOTO by kenT brick

The North Dakota association of rural Electric cooperatives (NDarEc) is a participant in the “Keep It Local North Dakota” coalition. measure 2 is a proposed constitutional amendment on the June 12 statewide primary ballot. If approved, the amendment would abolish property taxes in North Dakota. The measure mandates the North Dakota Legislature to replace the lost revenue from other sources. This would result in more than 2,000 local government entities – city and county governments, school boards and park districts – needing to ask the state Legislature for funding. In a series of meetings announcing the formation of the coalition, andy Peterson, president of the North Dakota chamber of commerce, said what measure 2 really abolishes is local control. “We understand that many people are frustrated with property taxes, but we must all realize that the only thing measure 2 does is takes away local control. That’s not a solution. That’s just a reckless, knee-jerk re-

action. ‘Keep It Local North Dakota’ strongly believes North Dakotans know what’s best for their communities,” Peterson said. Peterson talked about public financing. he said a common misconception is that North Dakota could mostly rely on oil and gas tax revenue to fund local government services. he said this would unrealistically place almost the entire burden of local funding on one industry, in one part of the state. he added history clearly shows that the oil and gas industry is volatile and extremely susceptible to market forces, making it an unreliable tax base. Projections from the North Dakota tax department also show that much of the state’s oil and gas tax revenue has already been allocated through both legislative statute and constitutional mandate. Peterson said the more people dig into measure 2, the more they will realize that it is simply “too good

North Dakota LIVING adopts new look ext month, April’s North Dakota LIVING N NORTH DAKOTA will display a milestone new look. From the North Dakota LIVING cover banner, throughout the inside pages, the new style will be sleeker, simpler and a snap for today’s readers to navigate. The North Dakota LIVING brand is 10 years old, the latest period in the 58 years the statewide cooperative magazine has been circulating. The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric

YOUR LOCAL COOPERATIVE NEWS

electric and telecommunications cooperatives. The mission of North Dakota LIVING – and its predecessors – is to help foster good relationships between cooperatives and their members. The coming design changes are intended to continue and strengthen this mission.

LIVIng son, of Antler, represents North central Electric cooperative, Bottineau, on the NDAREc board of directors. She is chairwoman of the NDAREc board subcommittee that helps guide North Dakota LIVING. The NDAREc support for a new look for North Dakota LIVING comes

“Our North Dakota LIVING magazine has always been a great source of information for the member/owners of our cooperatives. Bringing cooperative news to our members is our top priority and we want to do that in an exciting way.” Christine Peterson, NDAREC officer cooperatives (NDAREc) adopted the North Dakota LIVING identity in 2002, “retiring” the North Dakota REc/RTc name that had been used the previous 20 years. North Dakota LIVING was adopted to reflect changes in magazine recipients and the state, including a growing number of suburban members of

in recognition of growing numbers of new electric cooperative members and their communication preferences. “We operate in a world where a lot of our readers participate in multiple communication streams utilizing a variety of electronic devices,” said Kent Brick, North Dakota LIVING editor. “magazine

continued from page 2

gas. Supporters estimate the fund could generate $50 million annually, based on current state oil production and price projections. “We North Dakotans tend to take our quality of life for granted – our clean water, open spaces and abundant wildlife,” said Keith Trego, sponsoring committee member. “The things that we grew up with are not going to be here unless we take action.” The coalition must gather

26,904 qualified signatures before Aug. 8 in order for the measure to be placed on the Nov. 6, 2012, general election ballot. coalition partners stressed the clean Water, Lands and Outdoor Heritage fund will not adversely affect other programs currently funded through oil tax revenue. The measure will establish a nine-member citizen board to oversee the distribution of the fund. n

improve natural flood control through the restoration and protection of natural areas along rivers, lakes and streams.” The constitutional amendment will establish a clean Water, Lands and Outdoor Heritage Fund that will receive 5 percent of the total revenues generated from taxes collected from the production and extraction of oil and www.ndliving.com

readers want easy navigation in their print products and in their electronic tools. That’s what our new look will accomplish.” Brick said readers can rest assured that while the look of North Dakota LIVING will change, its core features will remain. These include high statewide circulation and feature stories showcasing the progress of cooperatives and communities. Local cooperative news in the center of North Dakota LIVING remains the heart of the magazine, serving as the monthly link between cooperatives and 91,000 members. “North Dakota LIVING is a great magazine, and the design changes will only make our magazine better, keeping our members wellinformed of what their cooperative is doing,” Peterson said. n

NDAREC hosting annual meeting

he 68th annual meeting of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric cooperatives (NDAREc), march 21-23, will focus on the designation of 2012 as the International Year of cooperatives. The annual meeting will be held in Bismarck. This international designation has been made by the United Nations to highlight the contribution cooperatives make around the world to socio-economic development, employment generation and social integration. “cooperatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. n

NORTH DAKOTA LIVING n mARcH 2012 3

EDITORIAL by Dennis Hill

In this, we believe

Dennis Hill

PHOTO BY CLARICE L. KESLER

PHOTO BY PHYNE PHOTOGRAPHY

lectric co-op members from across the state will gather at the annual meeting of the North Dakota association of rural Electric cooperatives (NDarEc) march 22 and 23 in Bismarck. There, rural electric delegates will consider some 90 resolutions that express policy positions on agriculture, energy development, the environment, infrastructure, energy taxation, and rural and community development. You can find the resolutions that were adopted by our association last year under the public affairs tab on our Web site www.ndarec. com. Why are these resolutions important to NDarEc members? These resolutions start at the grassroots level. Each year, the board of directors of NDarEc selects a resolutions committee to consider and propose a set of resolutions that will be voted on at the annual meeting. This committee is comprised of directors from local electric cooperatives across the state who represent memberconsumers. This committee is also aided by co-op staff members who serve as technical advisers. The resolutions considered by the NDarEc committee are also often generated at the local level, as many of our electric cooperatives have resolutions committees that also propose a set of resolutions for their annual meetings. The co-op members or delegates vote on these resolutions, and if approved, they become the official position of the cooperative. Each co-op sends its resolutions to NDarEc for review and consideration. These resolutions give us a good pulse of the public attitude that exists among co-op members from across the state. We look for consistency on issues that can be rolled into a resolution that can be supported by the majority of delegates at our annual meeting. The resolutions process is similar at the annual meeting of the National rural Electric cooperative association (NrEca), march 5 to 7 in San Diego. NrEca has a process in place for co-ops (divided into 10 regions of the country) to propose resolu-

The NDAREC resolutions committee met Jan. 12 to consider new resolutions for the annual meeting on March 22-23. Some members at the committee meeting were (l to r) Steve Smaaladen, Nodak Electric Cooperative; Dennis Johnson, McKenzie Electric Cooperative; and Vernard Frederick, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative.

tions on a regional basis. Those that win regional approval are sent on to the national committee. If approved by this committee, the resolutions are voted on by delegates from across the country during the business session. Over the years, we’ve had spirited debates at our state meetings and at the national meetings about public policy choices. at the state level, one early fight revolved around the appropriate level of severance tax that should be levied on the state’s coal industry. Last year, delegates to our annual meeting decided to take a position on the level of taxation for oil extraction. The issue was whether the Legislature should lower oil production taxes. after a good discussion, the delegates voted to oppose that notion, saying: “ … at least until it is determined that North Dakota’s citizens are being adequately compensated for development of these resources, we oppose any attempts to lower the overall tax rates on the production and extraction of these resources.” Electric cooperatives devote a fair amount of time, money and human energy into developing resolutions. But it’s well worth the effort. For once the vote is taken, these resolutions become our guide as we decide whether to support, oppose or stay neutral on the many public policy choices that come before the state Legislature and congress. n Dennis Hill, editor-in-chief of North Dakota LIVING, is executive vice president and general manager of the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Mandan.

Comments may be sent to: Dennis Hill, NDAREC, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727 or by e-mail: dhill@ndarec.com. 4

march 2012 n NOrTh DaKOTa LIVING

www.ndarec.com

Its payload is as big as your ambition. Welcome to the West Dakota work ethic.

In West Dakota, the work is a little tougher and the road is a little rougher. That’s why the best-selling truck here is Chevy Silverado—the most dependable, longest lasting full sized pickups on the road. It delivers more power, more payload, better mileage and an industryleading 100,000 mile power train warranty. Drive the 2012 Chevy Silverado and save during Chevy Truck Month at your West Dakota Chevy Dealer. See WestDakotaChevy.com.

D&S Motors, Inc. • Rugby Hazen Motor Co • Hazen Kupper Chevrolet • Mandan Murphy Motors • Williston Puklich Chevrolet • Bismarck Rensch Chevrolet • New Town

Ripplinger Motors • Harvey Ryan Chevrolet • Minot Sax Motor Co. • Dickinson Sax Motor Co. • Bowman Sax Motors Co. • Killdeer Theel Inc. • Bottineau

West Dakota Chevy Dealers Chevy Runs Deep

COUNTRY LINE by Kent Brick

Communications building worldwide crop sales T

PHOTO BY KENT BRICK

Dave Gauslow, seated, and Jeff Olson, in Gauslow’s farm home office, both attest to the important role Red River Rural Telephone Association’s Internet resources play in the local – and worldwide – agricultural scene.

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

he world – and the Far East, in particular – is hungry for North Dakota’s abundant harvest. Getting this bounty (chiefly wheat, soybeans and corn) across continents and oceans to Eastern kitchens has been made fast and certain with the aid of modern telecommunications. As a corn and soybean farmer near Walcott and Colfax, Dave Gauslow operates squarely in this realm. And, as vice president of the Red River Rural Telephone Association, Gauslow helps furnish his neighbors and communities with the connections that build crop exports worldwide. “From here at Colfax, we’re exporting soybeans directly to the Far East, to Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines,” Gauslow said. “We’re loading cars here and sending to a container shipment area and putting the containers on ships. All of that is dependent on knowing those markets and the people over there, and communicating with those people. There is no better way to communicate with far-off markets than over the Internet.” Gauslow, his spouse, Renee, and son, Scott (spouse, Jess) operate the family farm, now spanning five generations. Dave and Renee’s daughter, Kari, resides in West Fargo, with her spouse, Aaron. Gauslow was already farming when he completed an agricultural economics degree at North Dakota State University. (Yes, the Gauslows wore the Bison green and gold at NDSU’s recent national championship football victory in Frisco, Texas!) Gauslow has been on the Red River Telephone board of directors since 2006; the Gauslows are also members of Cass County Electric Cooperative, Fargo. Gauslow’s telecommunications service has been marked by helping get high-speed, modern services installed for farming neighbors and communities. The upgrades have transformed farm livelihoods. “The fact that we have high-speed communication really makes a big difference in our marketing information. It’s at your fingertips 24-7,” Gauslow said. He pointed out that soybeans and other commodities trade virtually 24 hours a day now, thanks to the Internet. Emailing and texting have replaced land mail and other slower communications. Gauslow served previously on the Colfax Farmers Elevator, and admires how that facility has adopted a full array of high-speed Internet tools, facilitated by Red River Telephone. www.ndatc.com

“From here at Colfax, we’re exporting soybeans directly to the Far East, to Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.” — DAVE GAUSLOW tors knows members anticipate the cooperative will get them modern, high-speed Internet connections. He said fiber optics is the optimal mode for highest speeds, and the continuing challenge is determining where this mode can be deployed most economically. “Our goal is widespread, high-speed Internet, but our challenge is how fast we can do it,” Gauslow said. He said the cooperative form of business is wellsuited for getting high-speed communications resources extended across rural areas. “We’re here to serve the

PHOTO COURTESY GAUSLOW FAMILY

From its Abercrombie headquarters, Red River Telephone currently serves more than 4,500 North Dakota and Minnesota customers with local telephone, long-distance, cellular and Internet services. Jeff Olson, Red River Telephone general manager, said the cooperative is attuned to the communication tools agriculture needs. “Agriculture continues to be the engine of the economy around here,” Olson said. He added that the cooperative looks continuously at meeting members’ vital needs for moving large volumes of information quickly and dependably. “Everything has become instantaneous. It isn’t just a convenience or a nice thing to have. It’s a necessity for businesses in town and for farmers. To be successful is to have that ability to access the markets, or whatever is needed, anytime of the day,” Olson said. Gauslow said the Red River Telephone board of direc-

The Gauslow family sends a “Go Bison” greeting while awaiting kick-off at the national championship game in Frisco, Texas. Family members include, from right: Dave Gauslow; Kari (daughter); Renee (spouse); Aaron Kleingartner (Kari’s spouse); Peg and Alan Kleingartner (Aaron’s parents).

people that own us, and we know our customers want this,” Gauslow said. Gauslow said person-to-person contact with folks a world away is also important in developing international customers. “Their buyers for our soybeans have come here,” he said. “They want to meet the people that produce the food they eat. That part of the world has a voracious appetite for soybeans and soybean meal. They like knowing the people producing it, and they like to know where it comes from.” It is important to remember how these meetings happen, Gauslow added. “Personal relationships have to be cultivated, but what makes this work is our communication link,” he said.  Kent Brick is editor of North Dakota LIVING. He may be reached at kbrick@ndarec.com.

NORTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVES 3201 Nygren Drive N.W. Box 1144 Mandan, N.D. 58554

(701) 663-1099 www.ndatc.com

Cooperatives

BEK Communications Cooperative .................................................Steele Consolidated Telcom Cooperative .............................................Dickinson Dakota Central Telecommunications Cooperative ....................Carrington Dickey Rural Networks .............................................................. Ellendale Nemont Telephone Cooperative .........................................Scobey, Mont. Northwest Communications Cooperative .......................................... Ray Polar Communications Cooperative.........................................Park River Red River Rural Telephone Association ............................... Abercrombie Reservation Telephone Cooperative .............................................Parshall SRT Communications Cooperative ................................................. Minot United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation ................................. Langdon West River Telecommunications Cooperative .................................Hazen www.ndliving.com

NDATC Officers

Stanley Vangsness, President ..............................SRT Communications Ron German, First Vice President ................ Red River Rural Telephone Jeanette Hoff, Second Vice President ...............................................RTC Lorena Lambrecht, Secretary/Treasurer ....Northwest Communications Leo Meier, Director ............................................... BEK Communications Jon Hendrickson, Director ......................................Consolidated Telcom Rodney Suko, Director .......................................Dakota Central Telecom Kent Klima, Director ........................................... Dickey Rural Telephone Larry Mahler, Director................................................ Nemont Telephone Ron Steinke, Director .......................................... Polar Communications Lorne Field, Director .................................................... United Telephone Randy Christmann, Director .................................... West River Telecom NORTH DAKOTA LIVING  MARCH 2012 7

COVER STORY by Nancy Jorgensen

Good food

from close to home

With more appetites for locally grown foods, producers across North Dakota are focusing on getting food from the field to the table.

arv and Ilene Baker, growers from Carpio, are among those working hard to meet North Dakota’s growing passion for local foods. “Our customers want local because it’s fresh,” says Marv Baker, president of the 456-member North Dakota Farmers Market and Growers Association (NDFMGA). “They know who we are, and we encourage them to visit the farm and see what we’re growing.” Marv Baker is pleased to have seen the state’s farmers markets grow from 14 in 2005 to 55 today. Nationally, from 2010 to 2011, the number jumped by 17 percent to 7,175, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Growers discover new income

The Bakers started growing on two acres in 2004. The couple rented three additional acres a few years ago, and installed greenhouses to extend the growing season. Today, their business – North Star Farms – is booming. “We developed North Star Farms to replace my National Guard income when I retired at 30 years,” Marv says. He says the business is performing well beyond their expectations – and he is still in the National Guard.

Local foods bring homegrown ﬂavor and abundant color at harvesttime.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURIE GRADE, DRAKE FARMERS MARKET

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

PHOTO BY kenT Brick

Holly Mawby (left), director, Dakota College Entrepreneurial Center for Horticulture, and Marv and Ilene Baker of North Star Farms, spoke at a recent local foods conference held in Fargo.

Attending ‘Dakota Grown’ conference

PHOTO cOurTesY Of nOrTH sTar farms

Marvin Baker, right, picks peas at North Star Farms with his daughter, Amber Plucknett, and granddaughter, Aurora.

In addition, the Bakers work full-time in minot – marv at a recycling center, and Ilene at an agency that assists low-income and disabled people. Their jobs leave little time for gardening and marketing. Yet, each week of the 2011 growing season, the Bakers sold their produce at farmers markets in minot and Bismarck, and delivered produce boxes to both cities for community-supported agriculture (cSA) customers. Holly mawby, director of Dakota college’s Entrepreneurial center for Horticulture in Bottineau, reports that most North Dakota produce growers work full-time off the farm and supplement their income with produce sales. “A couple farmers market folks in the state gross $60,000 in a growing season, and some only make several hundred dollars,” mawby says. “It’s like any business – it takes skill, hard work and business sense. That’s where the Entrepreneurial center comes in. It’s our job to help producers make the most income for their product.” continued on page 10

www.ndliving.com

ast month, Marv Baker and Holly Mawby greeted and networked with local foods enthusiasts at the eighth annual Dakota Grown Local Foods Conference in Fargo. The conference, presented as part of the N.D. Department of Agriculture’s Local Foods Initiative, featured presentations on crop production, marketing and organizational techniques meant to advance local foods consumption. A highlight presentation was made by Angie and Brian McGinness, operators of Riverbound Farm, an organic vegetable, community-supported agriculture operation. In addition, the N.D. Ag Department’s Hunger Free North Dakota Garden Project – urging growers to contribute excess production to food banks – was showcased. Mawby said the conference reflected a sharply growing attraction among consumers in our culture and economy for locally grown foods. She also said the business enterprise side of local foods distribution looks good, too. “It’s now a viable business opportunity and farming option,” Mawby says. At the conference, the NDFMGA held its annual meeting, re-electing Marv Baker as the group’s president and Ilene Baker as secretary-treasurer. Doug Goehring, N.D. Ag Commissioner, embraces the local foods movement as an opportunity to educate consumers about the value agriculture delivers. “My ultimate goal is for people to gain a better appreciation for where their food comes from,” says Goehring, also a farmer. “There’s a lot of risk and heartache that goes along with producing food, and for the most part that goes unnoticed.” As part of his goal, Goehring supports the department’s “Going Local North Dakota” campaign, which includes sponsorship of the annual Local Foods Conference, and several other local foods promotion resources. To learn more about local foods in the state, visit www.ndfarmersmarkets.com (NDFMGA site) or www. dakotacollege.edu/ech.php (Enterpreneurial Center site). For information on the Bakers, visit www.northstar organic.com. For N.D. Department of Agriculture information, visit www.goinglocalnd.ning.com, or contact Dana Pritchet, (701) 328-4793. n NORTH DAKOTA LIVING n mARcH 2012 9

PHOTO COURTESY LAURIE GRADE, DRAKE FARMERS MARKET

but wholesalers purchase greater quantities and the sales takes less time, making the bottom line about the same, she adds. Consumers want grocery stores to serve local options, too. The center’s 2011 survey of grocery produce managers revealed that 50 percent had seen increased customer demand for local produce, and 67 percent said they’d buy more if it were available at competitive prices.

Planting seeds of knowledge

continued from page 9

Consumers drive the movement

Factors pushing consumer interest in local foods upward include concern about the origin of food, spending food dollars on local vendors, and reducing the traditional fuel inputs related to common supermarket foods. Plus, according to the center’s 2010 survey of 30 farmers markets across the state, it’s fun. “Shoppers like the atmosphere and being able to talk to the vendors,” says Mawby, who administers NDFMGA. “Consumers also told us they want more variety and choice, and they want to see more growers in the marketplace. This represents a great opportunity for producers.” Farmers who like meeting customers find it worthwhile to drive to urban centers and spend the day at farmers markets. Those who don’t have the time or the inclination can sell to Wholesale Supply Co. of Minot through the center’s new pilot project. The wholesaler picks up produce at four locations across the state. “Last year, demand was larger than our producers could meet,” Mawby says. Wholesale buyers pay less than farmers markets consumers,

The Bakers don’t have farming backgrounds. “My knowledge came from my parents, who were gardeners when they were younger,” Marv says. His grandfather, who came from Switzerland, grew peanuts in Hazelton. Marv was fascinated, and now he, too, grows peanuts. In 2006-2007, Marv went on active duty with the National Guard’s U.S. Central Command. During his down time, he studied organic gardening on the Internet. He also learned from the Entrepreneurial Center. In 2008, the center provided North Star Farms with a $20,000 grant toward a passive solar greenhouse that stores heat in water bladders during the day, and releases it at night. In January 2012, Marv was still growing cabbage and other winter veggies in the greenhouse – the first of its kind in North Dakota. Marv feeds the center data on how the design works in our climate, crops that do well, and energy use, yields and labor. North Star Farms is one of a handful of certified organic farms in North Dakota. The Bakers don’t use chemicals to boost production. While larger producers rely on heavy equipment to farm hundreds of acres, the Bakers generally work their five acres by hand. “The best yield a wheat

Dwight Duke, Skyline Ranch Natural Produce, Hensler, is a proliﬁc and wellknown producer who attends farmers markets in, among others, Beulah, Hazen, Bismarck and Washburn.

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

Doug Goehring, North Dakota agriculture commissioner, speaks with Mandan students at the garden they’ve grown as a group project.

Schools step up to the plate

chool chefs in Granville and Jamestown embrace local foods. This is due, in part, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Schools program, connecting schools to local farms with the goal of healthy cafeteria fare. Wanda Bachmeier and Karla Thompson, co-head cooks at the TGU Granville school system, along with one other worker, feed 150 students. Six years ago, vocational agriculture teacher Jeff Hagel offered them green beans from a student garden. The idea grew from there. Today, Hagel, students, staff and community members labor all summer to provide a variety of free, fresh bounty throughout the school year. FFA students also sell produce to the kitchen for projects. A school orchard will one day yield apples, pears and chokecherries. “It’s more work,” Bachmeier says, “but the benefi ts of serving local produce outweigh the challenge.” TGU

COURTESY PHOTOS

Co-head cooks Wanda Bachmeier, left, and Karla Thompson of the TGU Granville School, appreciate fresh produce provided from school gardens grown under the direction of vocational agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor, Jeff Hagel. www.ndliving.com

PHOTO BY SUE B. BALCOM

producer can get is about 4,800 pounds per acre,” Marv says. “We had a terrible year in 2011 because of so much rain and flooding, and we produced 10,000 pounds per acre. It was closer to 16,000 in 2010.” According to Mawby, the most popular veggies at farmers markets include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beans and peas – but our cold climate limits their growing seasons. “North Dakota is behind neighboring states in vegetable production,” Mawby says. “Much of that lag is due to a lack of knowledge about season extension methods.” Mawby is seeing a growing number of mainstream farmers adding local distribution produce to their cropping mix. 

Granville received a grant to purchase a walk-in cooler and a freezer that allows cooks to preserve produce for later use. “We see a difference even in kindergartners trying new things,” Thompson says. “It helps when we can tell them that the homecoming king grew this sweet corn!” In the Jamestown school system, students number 2,150, and Shelley Mack heads up a kitchen staff of 30. Even this larger operation is serving more fresh food. Mack rounded up a $10,000 grant to plant a school garden a few years ago. “When I see kids eating fresh fruit and vegetables, that’s my signal that it’s working,” Mack says. Deb Egeland of Child Nutrition Programs at the N.D. Department of Public Instruction estimates that 30 of 216 districts participate in the Farm to Schools program. For information on Farm to Schools, visit www.farrms.org or call Sue Balcom at (701) 527-5169. For info on grants to start gardens, visit www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s. 

Students Mason Gahner and Kassie Holmquist of the Jamestown School System ﬂank local produce served by the Washington Elementary kitchen. Also pictured, from left: Kitchen Manager Shannon Moran, School Lunch Director/Dietitian Shelley Mack, Principal Dave Saxberg and preparation staff member Arlene Richter. N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 2 11

Cosmetic Surgery

with a woman’s touch

Our Class C accredited operating room offers confidentiality, convenience and comfort for our patients.

D’Arcy A. Honeycutt M.D.

F.A.C.S. Board Certified North Dakota’s most experienced female plastic surgeon

3913 Lockport Street Bismarck, ND 58503 701-530-8450 888-430-3223 www.darcyhoneycutt.com PrimeCare health group

Link to in-home support and services for older adults and adults with physical disabilities. Toll-free

1-855-GO2LINK (1-855-462-5465)

www.carechoice.nd.gov

ND Relay TTY 1-800-366-6888

Knee Pain Arthritis?

• Are your knees very stiff in the morning? • Do your knees hurt when going up and down stairs? • Do you frequently take Ibuprofen or Aspirin for your knee pain? • Do the activities you enjoy cause pain around your knees? If you answered YES to any of these questions, we offer a successful NON-OPERATIVE treatment program to relieve your knee pain. Call today for a consultation on this new and exciting program combining Hyalgan lubricant injections with Theraciser Rehabilitation.

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121 West Century Avenue • Bismarck, ND

701.530.8500 • 1.800.839.0244 12

march 2012 n NOrTh DaKOTa LIVING

www.ndarec.com

Classic Western Caribbean for Seniors Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and a day on a fantastic private island

February 2-10, 2013

Join Jack & Hazel Jensen, the owners of Jensen Travel, on a sunfilled, fun-filled, winter fling to the Classic Western Caribbean. There is no better unspoiled corner of the Caribbean than this area. We’re excited about showing you the pristine sights, wildlife and culture of these unique ports of call. Of course, we’ll be onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, there is no other way to cruise. No dress up, no fixed seating for dinner, 13 dining rooms to choose from, all with a different menu. 15

entertainment venues each evening. We’ve often heard, “we’re too old for island hopping.” This is for seniors (one person over 50 in the room). Come join us, we’re seniors, and we’ll show you just how much fun you can have! Our major reason for hosting this event is “We want to do this trip!”, so why not surround ourselves with people just like us, who we’ll love spending time with.

All flights, gratuities, meals, transfers and entertainment included.

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800-261-6674

TRINITY REGIONAL EYECARE WILLISTON BASIN Is pleased to welcome Dr. Cynthia J. Roles, Optometrist back to her hometown of Williston, ND. Dr. Roles graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND and received her doctor of optometry degree from the Ohio State University College of Optometry in Columbus, OH. She has been in practice at the Wright Patterson Air Force Medial Center in Dayton, OH where she has been practicing primary eyecare optometry on patients of all ages,including contact lens care and ocular disease. She will now join Trinity Regional Eyecare and begin seeing patients on March 5th.

1213 15th Ave. W. Williston, ND 58801 701-572-7641 • 1-800-735-4926 Monday - Thursday 8-5 and Friday 8 - Noon www.ndliving.com

N O r T h D a K O T a L I V I N G n m a r c h 2 0 1 2 13

N.D. wheat goes global by Candi Helseth

“In 2010, we saw 60 million bushels of U.S. hard red spring wheat exported to Japan alone.”

Much of North Dakota hard red spring wheat is shipped to Duluth, Minn., and onto all parts of the world.

NEAL FISHER, ADMINISTRATOR NORTH DAKOTA WHEAT COMMISSION

n nearly 100 countries around the world, people are eating North Dakota wheat and durum products. In Japan, it may be in the form of bread, pastries and noodles; in Italy, of course, it’s pasta. North Dakota exports about one-half of its wheat and durum overseas now and demand continues to grow. North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC) Neal Fisher Administrator Neal Fisher calls it “a pretty exciting story.” “In 2010, we saw 60 million bushels of U.S. hard red spring wheat exported to Japan alone!” Fisher said.

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

“North Dakota is typically second in wheat production nationwide. Our average wheat crop generates about $2 billion a year in cash value. That’s checks to producers from local elevators and money that goes back into our communities. With a modest multiplier of 3.0, an average North Dakota wheat crop generates a total economic impact of $6 billion to $7 billion in the state’s economy.” Wheat is the most widely distributed cereal grain in the world. Flour from wheat is the framework for almost all baked goods, as well as pasta, cereal and many other products. While wheat has always been an agricultural mainstay in North Dakota, what has changed over the years is the growing infrastructure that is part of a complex partnership to sell and market the state’s wheat throughout the world. To stay ahead of the competition, it’s also important to continually improve and expand wheat varieties being raised in the state. Fisher and his staff focus on domestic and international market development, research support that improves producers’

www.ndarec.com

PHOTOS COURTESY N.D. WHEAT COMMISSION

NDWC leaders (including Neal Fisher, administrator, back row, third from left; and Fran Leiphon, chairman, front row, middle) met recently with a Philippine trade team.

abilities to raise good wheat, and monitoring and working toward good trade policies that can support wheat exports. Export markets continually change and competition is fierce, said NDWC Marketing Director Jim Peterson who traveled last fall to Japan, Taiwan, Korea, China and the Philippines to sell wheat buyers on the valJim Peterson ues of buying North Dakota wheat. “Asia has been a great growth story for us and roughly one-third of our demand right now comes from Asia, primarily Japan and the Philippines,” Peterson said. “Taiwan and South Korea have also become big markets. Vietnam, Indonesia and China are promising growth markets in Asia as well. Europe and Central America are good demand centers, too.” These overseas buyers typically purchase anywhere from 0.5 million to 2 million bushels at a time. However, Peterson said it’s a delicate balancing act to maintain high-quality wheat sales, stay competitive in price and build loyalty among buyers. www.ndliving.com

NDWC regularly entertains trade groups from other countries, taking the groups to visit farm operations and see firsthand what makes North Dakota wheat exceptional. They also learn about the research that has gone into developing the state’s superior wheat varieties. NDWC’s domestic wheat marketing is more conFran Leiphon sumer-oriented. NDWC partners with the Wheat Foods Council and the National Pasta Association to improve public awareness and encourage consumption of wheat foods. For instance, a “How Wheat Works” interactive Web site educates the public on the farm-to-fork process of wheat foods. For the annual Bake and Take Day the fourth Saturday in March, NDWC distributes more than 8,000 recipes to community groups. Members make the recipes and deliver their freshly baked wheat foods to people in need. In addition to marketing, NDWC core programs continued on page 16

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 2 15

A group of Korean millers inspects a North Dakota spring wheat field.

continued from page 15

emphasize wheat research and variety development, domestic and trade policy, communications and producer outreach. a District 4 director and board chairman, Fran Leiphon, said research, which North Dakota State University (NDSU) conducts in conjunction with NDWc, has resulted in wheat breeding programs that have produced hardier wheat varieties, higher yields, improved crop management strategies and many other technologies. “NDSU has the most valuable wheat program in the country, if not in the world,” Fisher asserted. “at this moment, NDSU is working on developing new technologies that could revolutionize the wheat industry.” North Dakota is among 19 states with producerdriven wheat commissions similar to NDWc. North Dakota wheat farmer members commit 1.5 cent per bushel of their wheat crop to NDWc’s coffers. a seven-member board of directors leads NDWc. Board members must be producers themselves and each represents one of six regions in the state. The governor

march 2012 n NOrTh DaKOTa LIVING

“Asia has been a great growth story for us and roughly one-third of our demand right now comes from Asia.” Jim Peterson, marketing director north dakota Wheat commission appoints the seventh member as an at-large commissioner. Each of the 53 counties has a representative elected by peers to serve as a liaison to the board. “This is a grass-roots process, with the county representatives helping set priorities, the commissioners making policy and leadership decisions and we as staff carrying out these programs,” Fisher explained. Leiphon, who has been farming for 38 years, says today’s environment requires a concerted effort by organizations like NDWc if farmers are going to www.ndarec.com

Members of a Chinese trade team examine North Dakota wheat-based bread with the help of NDWC consultant, Dr. Bert D’Appolonia.

remain competitive and prosper. Leiphon raises wheat, durum, canola and soybeans with his son and brother on a farm northeast of Devils Lake in Nodak Electric cooperative territory. “If farmers look at the amount of bushels they raise and figure what they could do with that penny and a half to export their wheat or research how to make their wheat better, they’re going to admit there isn’t much they can do on their own,” Leiphon said. “But together we can do a lot.” Overall, Fisher said, North Dakota’s wheat farmers are enjoying good times. Following two excellent years, last spring’s floods and extremely wet conditions resulted in a much smaller crop, with production being down by about one-third. Still, Fisher noted, 2007 to 2011 were among the best years producers have ever had price-wise.

www.ndliving.com

“Agriculture – with wheat sales being the largest contributor – accounts for about $22 billion to $30 billion every year in our state’s economy,” Fisher said. “Agriculture has always underpinned this state and it is still North Dakota’s largest enterprise.” For information on NDWc, visit ndwheat.com. n Candi Helseth, co-owner of WriteDesign in Minot, is a regular contributor to North Dakota LIVING.

FOR MORE INFORMATION North Dakota Wheat Commission, 2401 46th Ave. SE, Suite 104, Mandan, ND 58554 Phone: (701) 328-5111; E-mail: ndwheat@ndwheat.com; Web site: ndwheat.com

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n m A R c H 2 0 1 2 17

North Dakota Farmers UNioN 2012 excursion tours!

National FU Convention

March 4-7, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska

The Homestead Pickers In concert April 23, 2012 in Bismarck 4 Ozarkian guys pickin’ and grinnin’ bluegrass, americana, gospel, country $29.00 Concert Tickets Only

??? Mystery Tours ??? #1 Apr 30-May 3 #2 May 7-10 #3 May 14-17 Limited seating available Go to www.ndfu.org for details or call 800-366-8331 ext 108, Susan or ext 111, Jeff

Naomi Rossow, Broker

701-290-3931 Email: naomi@valleytel.net Licensed in North Dakota and South Dakota

View additional listings at www.landofdakota.com

WORKING CATTLE RANCH in south-central ND. 7614 deeded acre ranch supports 600-650 cow/calf operation with ample hay. OUTSTANDING working facilities, buildings and new ranch style home.Miles of new trees, 17 wells, many dams, and two pipelines. Micro-management and pride of ownership evident throughout this ranch. Good country and good neighbors. One hour from Bismarck. $7,775,000. OUTLAW RANCH. 1120 acre deeded ranch is located in the sandhills of northern ND, an hour east of Minot. With an excellent reputation, Outlaw Ranch Outfitters boasts high profits for 2011 and several return bookings for 2012. Tastefully remodeled country home, outbuildings and corrals, and rustic hunting lodge. New wildlife high fence built in 2010. Newly seeded alfalfa ground. Trophy bull elk included in sale. Cattle Ranch or Business—top notch property! $1,400,000. HWY 42 FRONTAGE. NE of Williston. Ideal area for building development. Existing quonset, electricity, rural water. RAY ND.PRICE REDUCED on 20 acre farmstead within minutes of town. Beautiful yard, updated ranch style home. Two heated shops and outbuilding storage. $548,000. MEDORA. 50 acre parcel in Merrifield Creek Subdivision. $2500/acre. NEW LISTING West of Killdeer on HWY 200. 40 acre ranchette w/ranch style home, heated shop, indoor barn with stalls, wash bay and vet room. Home is beautiful w/ newly designed country kitchen, plus family room and living room with fireplaces, main floor laundry, single attached garage. Many updates. $949,900. 18

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

SMART

with

Y Your Yo u Touchstone Energy Cooperative

Smart North Dakota LIVING looks at new technologies, power supply challenges and wise energy choices for cooperative members. This month’s topic: N.D. One-Call

from staff and N.D. One-Call reports

ith unprecedented drilling, trenching and excavating across the state, the North Dakota One-Call service plays a prominent role. Formally created in 1998, N.D. One-Call is a notification service helping to prevent damage by excavators and diggers to buried public facilities. State law has codified the one-call excavation system in North Dakota Century Code Chapter 49-23. “Our message is ‘Call before you dig,’ ” says Chad Olson, director of education and

PHOTO BY KENT BRICK

N.D. One-Call’s Chad Olson says the digging safety program features readily available communication and consultation resources. 20

PHOTO BY CARMEN DEVNEY

Mild weather, oil keeping One-Call busy

Jason Helgeson, engineering technician, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative, calls in many line locate requests as he stakes sites for powerline construction.

public relations for N.D. One-Call. “Make sure you’re protecting not only yourself, but your family and the people around you.” Olson says the call is required for anyone planning to dig to depths of more than 12 inches, with greater depth allowed for agriculture. He adds the N.D. One-Call information resource is ready to help commercial, private and agricultural parties understand how the notification requirement applies in each case. Olson has worked for N.D. One-Call since 2007, after completing a long career with BEK Communications Cooperative, Steele. He says usage of N.D. One-Call is surging, due mostly to extensive drilling and trenching in the state’s oil country. He said the mild autumn and winter have not created the customary lull in digging, so use of N.D. One-Call has not been reduced lately. The “call” that is at the heart of the N.D. One-Call service is simply 8-1-1; or (800) 795-0555. A caller is connected to an information resource person ready to exchange key information about the digging project and to notify utilities/operators with facilities in the excavation zone. Utilities then mark their facilities in a digging zone within 48 hours of being notified of the digging plan. A board of directors, drawn from the utility and construction sectors of the state, oversees N.D. One-Call. Those directors represent: cable television; telecommunications; electric power; cities under 5,000; cities over 5,000; excavators/contractors; rural water; and gas/ pipelines. N.D. One-Call is funded with a modest monetary charge per commercial digging authorization request and per facility marking activity.

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

N.D. One-Call background information (available at www.ndonecall.com) points out that digging parties do have responsibilities after the authorization has been granted. One obligation is to complete the excavation no more than 10 days from the start date in the authorization. Also, the digging party must conduct the digging activity with requisite care. Besides accessing N.D. One-Call on the telephone, there are three other modes for securing the digging authorization and location service:  I-TIC is an Internet-based ticket entry program for professional excavators that allows locates to be filed over the Internet by supplying the required data.  I-TIC Lite is an Internet-based ticket entry program for homeowners who would like to submit their locate requests on the Internet.  Fax-a-Locate allows faxing dig site marking requests to North Dakota OneCall. This must be done on appropriate locate request forms. Call the administration office at (701) 475-2942 or (877) 8487472) to sign up for the fax program. 

North Dakota One-Call

digging safety services

Call 8-1-1 or (800) 795-0555 www.ndonecall.com www.ndarec.com

continued on next page www.ndliving.com

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G ď Ž M A R C H 2 0 1 2 21

D I S C O V E R I N G D A K O TA by Jo Ann Winistor fer

The Pathfinder

John Charles Frémont, noted explorer, helped to map the eastern portion of what would later become North Dakota.

ou may have heard of the “Great Pathfinder,” John Charles Frémont, the famed but controversial explorer credited with opening and mapping the American West, and the first U.S. presidential candidate of the antislavery Republican Party. What you may not know is that one of his earliest explorations took him into what is now eastern North Dakota, on a map-making expedition. In fact, Lake Jessie just outside of Binford is named for the woman who soon after his return would become his wife.

Early years

John Charles Frémont was the illegitimate child of Ann Pryor (nee Whiting), the married daughter of an aristocratic Virginia planter family, and her tutor-lover, Charles Fremon, a French immigrant who fought for the Royalists during the John Charles Frémont: 1813-1890 French Revolution. To escape Ann’s irate husband gineers, the agency charged with surand the resulting scandal, Whiting and veying all the unmapped regions of the Fremon eventually settled in SavanUnited States. nah, Ga. It was there that the Great Pathfinder was born, on Jan. 21, 1813. Nicollet connection Only 5 years old when his father died, Frémont’s first major assignment Frémont was raised by his mother in was to accompany the respected Charleston, S.C. French scientist and geographer, JoIn 1829, Frémont entered the Colseph Nicolas Nicollet, on a two-year lege of Charleston, where he excelled mission to Minnesota Territory. Their in mathematics. His first job was as objective was to map the region bea math instructor aboard a U.S. Navy tween the upper Mississippi and Misship traveling around South Amerisouri rivers. ca. In the summer of 1836, he helped Under Nicollet’s tutelage, Fremont survey a proposed rail route between learned valuable lessons about sciCharleston and Cincinnati. In July 1838, ence and sophisticated surveying he was appointed a second lieutenmethods as well as how to organize ant in the Corps of Topographical Enand manage an expedition. 22

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

Manifest destiny

Upon returning to Washington, Frémont often visited the home of Sen. Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri, a powerful, outspoken Democratic Par ty leader. Benton was among the crusaders of Manifest Destiny, which advocated for national control of the entire continent from ocean to ocean. On Oct. 19, 1842, Frémont eloped with Sen. Benton’s daughter, Jessie. A talented writer, Jessie became invaluable to Frémont by helping him write the colorful reports that would soon make him a national hero. While at first upset about the elopement, Sen. Benton eventually became one of his sonin-law’s most avid supporters, pushing appropriations through Congress for national surveys of the Oregon Trail (1842), the Oregon Territory (1844), the Great Basin, and Sierra Mountains to California (1845). Through his power and influence, Benton obtained for Frémont the position of leading each expedition.

the m aps

Following the Nicollet expeditions of 1838 and 1839 and the explorers’ return to Washington, Fremont worked extensively with Nicollet on the map, assisting the ailing scientist in refining their sketches and calculations. In addition to depicting the Upper Mississippi Valley, the map extended knowledge of the Missouri River region between St. Louis and Fort Pierre, and of the region between Devils Lake and continued next page www.ndarec.com

John Charles Frémont was an explorer, soldier, politician, and businessman. A man of adventure, he helped to explore, survey and map vast areas of the frontier. Known as “The Pathfinder” because he charted the best route to Oregon, Frémont experienced both success and failure during his lifetime. Some of his questionable decisions have made him a controversial figure in American history. 1842: First expedition – to survey a route for settlers on their way to Oregon. Guided by Kit Carson, Frémont’s path extended from the Mississippi River to South Pass, Wyo. Frémont Peak in the Wind River Range of Wyoming is named for him. His mapping of the trail inspired more pioneers to try the journey west. The Nicollet map above shows the routes taken by French 1843: Next expedition – to push be- geographer Joseph Nicollet and his protegé, John Charles yond South Pass, Wyo., to Oregon. Fré- Frémont. mont surveyed the northern shores of the Great Salt Lake; his report encouraged the Mormons under Brigham Young to settle there four and the U.S. July 19, Frémont marched his “Califoryears later. The explorer and his party traveled north nia Battalion” to Monterey. The U.S. quickly won the and west to the mouth of the Columbia River on the war. Commodore Robert F. Stockton appointed FréPacific at Fort Vancouver. Although not authorized, mont governor of California and raised his rank to he continued the march into California, crossing the lieutenant colonel. When Stockton was replaced by treacherous Sierra Nevada range in winter despite an old enemy of Frémont’s, Gen. Stephen W. Kearwarnings by Native Americans. The party arrived at ny, he was ordered to give up his post. When he reSutter’s Fort in California in March 1844, obtained fused, he was accused of disobedience and mutiny. fresh supplies and then traveled back to St. LouFurious about being convicted and court-martialed, is. Frémont’s reports fueled the expansionist amFrémont resigned. bitions of many powerful groups that were pushing 1848: With the aid of private backing, Frémont for Mexico to cede California to the United States. made another trip to survey a possible railroad route 1845: Frémont led a party of 60 men on another in which he and Sen. Benton shared an interest. Unexpedition to the West. Crossing the Rocky Mounwisely, Frémont tried to lead his expedition across tains, he surveyed the southern end of the Great Salt the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado in midLake, crossing the desert to Sutter’s Fort in CaliDecember. As a result, 11 men died, and Frémont fornia. When the Mexican government ordered Fréwas forced to retreat. Heading south, he finally armont and his armed men to leave, Frémont retreatrived at Sutter’s Fort to find that gold had been dised to Oregon. Returning to California in June 1846, covered. Since Frémont owned land in one of the he led a group of American settlers in the “Bear Flag goldfields at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, he sudRevolt.” When war was declared between Mexico denly found himself a rich man.

continued

the headwaters of the Mississippi. A set of manuscripts chart the explorers’ daily progress. The final three sheets show the overland route of the party from Pierre to Devils Lake. These charts bear many handwritten notes by both Fremont and Nicollet. Nicollet and Fremont had little success assigning place names on the map that would last through the generations. One exception is the little lake on a western tributary of the ShayennOju River, now the Sheyenne, below www.ndliving.com

the Devils Lake area, where the map shows “Lake Jessie.” Today the site, near the small town of Jessie in Griggs County, is a state historic site. The report and map were officially published in 1843 by the U.S. Senate – and again in 1845 by the U.S. House. Publication of the first Nicollet map came near the end of this notable scientist’s career; Nicollet died Sept. 11, 1843. In his memoir, Gouverneur (G.K.) Warren, a brilliant West Point graduate, topographical engineer and explorer of the time, wrote that the Ni-

1850: California elected him to the U.S. Senate. 1853: Frémont led another private expedition in search of a southern railway route to the Pacific Ocean. 1856: Now a national hero, Frémont ran for president against James Buchanan as the first candidate of the newly formed Republican party. Unsuccessful, he ran again in 1860, withdrawing in favor of Abraham Lincoln. After his defeat, he returned to California, making heavy investments in unprofitable mills and mining equipment. 1861: Civil War – Frémont was made commander of the Department of the West. His antislavery views brought him into conflict with authority. He declared martial law and issued an order freeing the slaves in Missouri. These actions were premature and embarrassing to President Abraham Lincoln, who relieved Frémont of his command. He was given another command in Kentucky, but after making several tactical errors, Lincoln lost faith in Frémont’s abilities. When the area was consolidated under another commander, Frémont again resigned from the army. Later years: After the Civil War, Frémont lost his remaining fortune in failed railroad-building projects. Turning cynical, he engaged in dishonest business deals. In 1878, Frémont was made governor of the Arizona Territory, a post he saw as a chance to revive his fortune. After five years, he was asked to resign because he used state money for personal expenses. Frémont spent the last years of his life in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Jessie, who had always supported him, continued her writing. She was their only source of income. Just before his death on July 13, 1890, Frémont was awarded a pension by Congress. Frémont died a broken man, his reputation in shreds. But he will always be remembered for his courage and determination in opening up the West for settlement.

colett map “was one of the greatest contributions ever made to American geography. ... Had he lived one more decade, Nicollet would undoubtedly have become the official government cartographer of the whole trans-Mississippi West.” The map helped launch the career of Nicollet’s protegé. Fremont was now ready to set out on his own as an explorer, surveyor and mapmaker.  Jo Ann Winistorfer, retired associate editor of North Dakota LIVING, writes from her rural Pick City farm.

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 2 23

R E A D E R R E P LY

This month, we asked our readers to submit replies to the following...

“During the growing season, do you choose to purchase food from a grocery store or a farmers market? Explain your preference or tell us about an experience.”

Support the community

PHOTO COURTESY LAURIE GRADE, DRAKE

others are prolific, and when I want something, it’s as close as my garSince I no longer have a gardens (and my freezer in the winter). den, I buy vegetables from the And whatever I have, I’m happy to grocery store after the growing share because I always grow more season. They look alright but are than we need. My garden produces usually flat and tasteless. tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, corn, There is nothing like the taste onions, squash and pumpkins. But of fresh vegetables. I find our local I also enjoy vine-ripened strawberfarmers market has a good choice ries, which can’t compare to those of fresh vegetables during the sumwhich are shipped. Juneberries are mer season. That’s why I look fora treasure, and rhubarb and asparward to market day. Our farmers agus show up early in the season. market is only open two days each Where else can one find gooseweek. It’s best to shop early to get There are approximately 30 farmers markets berries, grapes, cherries and fresh the best selection of good, flavorful registered in North Dakota. plums? And then there are apples. produce. It sure beats store-bought Some years I’ve had to call the any day of the week. neighbors in force to help harvest. Shopping the farmers market is also another way of supThere is always something fresh to eat from early spring porting our local community. Bernice Wanner, Dickinson to late fall. And ooh, it’s so good. Roughrider Electric Cooperative

Cultivate Mother Nature’s gifts

I am the farmers market. My husband and I live in the country and have a huge garden. We grow everything. We do not use pesticides. Our fertilizer is wood ashes, leaves and cow manure. Mid-April, I start my seeds in containers — everything from tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers and various squash. This year we plan to put in sweet potatoes. We share our produce with neighbors, family and friends. All our produce is truly organic and fresh. Carol Schumacher, Menoken Capital Electric Cooperative

Share the bounty

During the growing season the past two years, we experienced floodwaters which covered the garden area and destroyed the plants I grew from seed. After the flood destroyed our home last year, we moved and I made an effort to support the local farmers market. I am thankful that friends and neighbors shared extra garden produce and apples when they were in season. Even my dad, at age 82, picked corn from his garden, cut it off the cob and prepared freezer corn for us to enjoy this winter. Someday I hope to have another garden so I can once again share the extra produce with others. Ann Knecht, Napoleon Dakota Valley Electric

Treasuring the great outdoors

I don’t buy produce from a grocery store or a farmers market; I grow my own. I can’t imagine not having a garden every year. It’s wonderful to get out in the spring to plant and encourage the trees, bushes, berries and other perennials. Watching things grow and produce is time well spent in the great outdoors as well as being great exercise. Some years, certain fruits or veggies don’t do well but 24

MArch 2012 n NOrTh DAKOTA LIVING

Karen Reisenauer, St. Anthony Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative and West River Telecommunications Cooperative

Appreciate the convenience

I prefer to grow my own garden produce. There is nothing better than to go to your own garden and enjoy the fresh vegetables. I freeze or can what I need; the rest gets shared with my children or friends. My grandsons love to pull fresh carrots and pick the peas to eat. Joanne E. Merkel, Forbes Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative

UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTIONS: APRIL: “In this ‘Take Care’ issue, tell us what your local schools are doing — from the cafeteria to the gymnasium and beyond — to encourage healthy kids.” Deadline for submission: March 15 MAY: “How are you learning about — and remembering and recording — your family history?” Deadline for submission: April 16 INSTRUCTIONS: Submissions should be no more than 250 words, typewritten or in legible handwriting. Include your name, complete address, daytime phone number and the name of the rural electric or telephone cooperative to which you belong. Note: Magazine staff reserves the right to make slight editing changes and cuts; major changes will be discussed with sender. We pay $25 for each letter we print. Send to: rEADEr rEPLY, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 585540727. Or send responses via e-mail to: cdevney@ndarec.com. SUBMIT A QUESTION: North Dakota LIVING wants to hear topics of interest to YOU! If you or someone you know is interested in writing on a certain subject, let us know! Simply contact us at the address above; we want to hear from you! www.ndarec.com

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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n m A R c H 2 0 1 2 25

TEEN-2-TEEN by Ethan Michelson

Be safe, not sorry

COURTESY PHOTO

y grandma is afraid of her computer. Like a lot of baby boomers, she finds it hard to keep up as technology advances. She believes her computer has its own personality and can control itself. To her, a minimized window means sheer, vanishing disaster. Although my parents are savvier, they often need me to “fix” their computers — even though they are concerned about what I might do while using social networking Web sites like Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. I used to pass these off as irrational fears, thinking my parents had seen something on the news about information stolen by hackers. As more and more people are talking about their lives onEthan Michelson line, an increasing number of dangers exist — making my parents’ fears more logical. I learned a lesson firsthand when I clicked on an ad I found interesting on Facebook. Even though the site seemed safe, my computer got a pesky virus that took days to remove. The experience made me realize that Facebook is like any

other business that makes money on ads. And viruses can be more than just annoying. They can destroy files, steal your information, and even take over your computer and use it for illegal purposes. While there is some supervision of these ads, almost any organization with a deep pocket can advertise. Extreme traffic on sites like Facebook creates another danger. A mere 3,000 employees are responsible for the site’s 800-million members, making you in charge of yourself. Some important things to know and remember about Facebook and other Web sites are that security settings may default and decrease when sites upgrade to a “new-and-improved” version. And every time you add a “friend,” you should tweak your privacy settings regarding that particular person. Also, regarding those irritating pop-ups I was guilty of clicking OK without reading, they are actually very important reminders that need to be reviewed to keep your identity and computer safe. Keeping track of yourself online is easier than you may think. Read all policy and software updates. Use a search engine and search for yourself regularly, so you know what people see when they look for you. And if you have a Facebook account, “friend” your parents. Not only will it remind you to keep your pictures and posts appropriate, but it will also give your parents peace of mind.  Ethan Mickelson, 15, is a sophomore at Rolla High School. Involved in speech, FCCLA, church and Boy Scouts, Ethan’s passion lies in journalism. He currently works for the Turtle Mountain Star, KEYA Radio Station and BEK Sports Broadcasting. Ethan is the son of Cameron and Dainelle Mickelson, who are members of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative.

Plan ahead for 2013!

orth Dakota LIVING has selected teen correspondents for 2012. If you are a teenager and would like to write for the magazine but missed the deadline, apply early for 2013. Applications will be archived until January 2013, when they will be reviewed. To apply, send us an essay telling us why you would make a good contributor, along with a recommendation from a teacher. Also include at least two topics you might like to address in a column. Along with your submission, include your name, the names of your parents, your complete mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address so we can contact you. Also indicate if your family belongs to an electric and/or telephone cooperative. Send your information to: Teen-2-Teen, North Dakota LIVING, PO Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727 North Dakota LIVING thanks all the teens who applied in 2012. We look forward to working with and hearing from a great batch of co-op kids! 

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 2 27

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH THROUGH-April 30  “Seeds of Change” Exhibit, Center Stage, James Memorial Art Center, Williston. (701) 774-3601. 6-10  Film Festival, 314 Broadway, Fargo. (701) 239-8385. 9-11  KXMC Sports RV & Boat Show, noon8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 2005 Burdick Expy. E., Minot. (701) 852-2104. 9-12  Art Attack Y outh Camp, Theo Art School, Bismarck. (701) 222-6452.

10  National Quilting Event, Frances Leach High Prairie Arts and Science Complex, Bismarck. (701) 224-1259. 14  Performance of “Pop Goes the Rock” by Cirque Dreams, 7:30 p.m., Fargodome, Fargo. (855) 694-6367 or (701) 241-9100. 16-17  Bioethics Seminar: Infertility and Means of Overcoming It, 5:45-8:30 p.m. Friday and 9-11:45 a.m. Saturday, Matt and JoAnn Butler Hall, Gary Tharaldson School of Business, University of Mary, Bismarck. (701) 355-8002. 17  Putnam House Soup Bowl, 533 Main St., Carrington. (701) 652-1213.

PROMOTE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT

North Dakota LIVING publishes calendar events free of charge. We only publish the date, name of the event, time, place and location, and contact telephone number. To submit an item, e-mail cdevney@ ndarec.com or mail to: CALENDAR OF EVENTS, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. North Dakota LIVING does not guarantee the publication of any event.

17  Running O’ The Green, 11 a.m. registration and 2 p.m. race, starts at Frontier Fort, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145. 17  Jelly- and SalsaMaking Class, 10 a.m.1 p.m., Gloria Dei Church Kitchen, Williston. (701) 774-3601. 18  Fellowship of Christian Athletes Home Team Banquet, 6 p.m., Shiloh Christian School, Bismarck. (701) 391-4886. 19  Poetry Out Loud State Finals, Belle Mehus Auditorium, Bismarck. (701) 328-7593. 19-20  Wild About Wheels, North Dakota State Fair Center, Minot. (701) 857-7620. 20-April 30  “Key Ingredients: America by Food – A Smithsonian Institution Exhibit,” James Memorial Art Center, Williston. (701) 774-3601. 21  “Women Caring for the Land,” 10 a.m.3 p.m., Farm Credit Services, Mandan. (402) 687-2103, ext. 1016. 22-25  Artists Celebrating Christ, Benedictine Center and Gary

Tharaldson School of Business, University of Mary, Bismarck. (701) 400-2815. 23-25  Home Design and Garden Show, Alerus Center, Grand Forks. (701) 792-1200. 23-25  El Zagal Shrine Circus, Fargodome, Fargo. (701) 241-9100. 24  “A Place of Heritage” Concert, Belle Mehus Auditorium, Bismarck. (701) 258-8345. 24  Wellness Clinic and Barrel Racing Clinic and Workshop, North Dakota Horse Park, Fargo. (701) 371-5903. 24  Wine and Cheese Tasting, 7 p.m., The Bunker, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145. 24  Simple Curves Table Runner Class, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., James Memorial Art Center, Williston. (701) 774-3601. 24  Nano Days, 1-4 p.m., Gateway to Science Center, Bismarck. (701) 258-1975. 30-31  Home and Garden Art Retreat, 1651 Jacob Dr., Binford. (701) 676-2681.

31-April 1  Home and Garden Show, Civic Center, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145.

APRIL 1  Benefit Breakfast for the Special Olympics Mandan, 8 a.m.1 p.m., Christ the King Parish Life Center, Mandan. (701) 663-0372. 1  Performance of “Damn Yankees,” 7:30 p.m., Chester Fritz Auditorium, Grand Forks. (701) 777-4090. 2-30  Spring Art Show, Mandan Art Association, Mandan. (701) 751-4331 or (701) 751-0796. 3  Shrine Circus, Civic Center, Jamestown. (800) 222-4766 or (701) 251-9145. 3  Performance by the “Blue Man Group,” 7:30 p.m., Fargodome, Fargo. (855) 694-6367 or (701) 241-9100. 6-9  Art Through Times Youth Camp, Theo Art School, Bismarck. (701) 222-6452. 8  Easter Egg Hunt, Chateau de Mores,

Medora. (701) 623-4910. 10, 12, 17, 19  Colored Pencil Workshop, 6-7:30 pm., Theo Art School, Bismarck. (701) 222-6452. 13  Rat Pack Show, 7:30 p.m., Chester Fritz Auditorium, Grand Forks. (701) 777-4090. 13-14  The Big One Arts and Crafts Show, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, North Dakota State Fair Center, Minot. (701) 837-6059. 14-15  Red River Valley Motorcycle Show, Alerus Center, Grand Forks. (701) 792-1200. 14-15  Home Show, Rec Center, Dickinson. (800) 279-7391 or (701) 225-1374. 14-15  Prime Steel Car Show, Purpur/Gambucci Arena, Grand Forks. (218) 779-5377. 15  Strudel Supper and Talent Show, 3 p.m., Ashley. (701) 288-3428. 20, 27  Friday Night Races, 7:30 p.m., River Cities Speedway, Grand Forks. (701) 780-0999.

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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G n m A R c H 2 0 1 2 29

RECIPE ROUNDUP

Reverse the way you cook by Carmen Devney

nstead of choosing a recipe and searching for ingredients at a grocery store, start with available ingredients and create your own recipe. What’s growing in your garden? What’s available at the farmers market? Choose what’s local and fresh, and use your imagination. Your meal may never taste better. “When you eat locally, you’re going to get better-tasting, more nutritious food,” says Angie McGinness, a Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative member and farmer from south of Mandan. “There’s nothing better than a locally produced vegetable that’s fresh from the garden, as opposed to a vegetable that was picked weeks ago and shipped from far away.” Angie and her husband, Brian, enjoy and appreciate eating truly fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables, and they welcome people to share in the beauty and bounty of their land. The McGinnesses operate a CSA, or community supported agriculture, where members purchase a “share” of the farm’s harvest and in return receive fresh, seasonal produce weekly. “We really love farming, and we really love eating high-quality food,” Angie shares. Their CSA, Riverbound Farm, is currently in its third season. Once a week, members choose what they want to eat or freeze from a large variety of produce. On Saturdays, members are welcome to visit the farm, collect their produce, pick berries (and weeds), and take a nature hike. Or on Wednesday evenings, members can meet Brian or Angie at Sertoma Park in Bismarck and pick up their produce. All of the food is harvested within hours of pick-up. Giving their members a connection to the air, sun, soil — and ultimately food — is a rewarding experience, explains Brian. And in addition to providing a place for their children, Owen, 8, and Pearl, 6, to play while the couple work outdoors, the farm nurtures the family’s own connection to the land, while allowing them to eat healthy, nutritious foods. This month, the couple share a

Like most little girls, Pearl McGinness likes to eat grilled cheese sandwiches and candy. But Angie and Brian McGinness say their daughter’s palate for vegetables is expanding, thanks to the fresh produce they grow at Riverbound Farm south of Mandan.

recipe Angie created based the ingredients she had on-hand. Using vegetables grown at Riverbound Farm and stored in the cellar, Angie created “Riverbound Farm Chicken and Root Vegetable Bake.” She purchased the chicken from Bartlett Farm, located near Lake Metigoshe. “This is a pastured, all-natural chicken. That means it’s literally raised outside in a pasture on green grass,” Angie describes. “The taste is amazing.” While certain meats can be enhanced with a marinade or rub, the chicken produces its own, rich broth. “I put my chicken in the oven and bake it, and leave it at that. It creates its own beautiful, yellow broth. I baste the chicken and vegetables with the broth, and it’s so delicious,” she says. Angie reveals she finds it empowering to grow food for herself, for her family and for her community. “We have the ability to grow our

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

own food, and to create with our own hands and hard work. We form a relationship with the ground, and use it to create a meal for our family that nourishes our bodies,” she shares. “[Growing our own food] can be nourishing on so many levels. It can be nourishing to our spirit. It can be nourishing to our physical body. It can be nourishing to our yard by creating beauty and a healthy soil system. And then we can nourish ourselves and our family with wholesome food that can heal and bring people together.” Brian and Angie McGinness encourage people to eat well, support local farmers and protect the health of the land. For more information about their CSA, visit www.riverboundfarm.com.  Carmen Devney is a communications specialist for the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Capital Electric Cooperative and Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative.

www.ndarec.com

H E A LT H Y H I N T S Are you a locavore?

1 whole chicken, local and 1 bulb garlic pastured 2 onions 1 winter squash 5 potatoes 1 small cabbage Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Wash chicken with cold water and place it in a large baking dish. Wash vegetables and chop to desired size. Place in the oven with a lid. Depending on the size of the bird, bake 1 ½ to 2 hours. After the first hour, a rich broth will start to form at the bottom of the pan. Use the broth to baste the vegetables for the next half-hour. Use a meat thermometer, or look for a boiling broth and browning skin accompanied by browning vegetables, to tell when the bird is done. Angie’s test notes: For the winter squash, we recommend Uncle David’s Sweet Dakota Dessert, a local variety Buttercup squash, but any will work. All the vegetables used in this recipe were raised on our farm. I cut the potatoes and onions in half, leave the garlic as whole cloves, leave large potato-size cabbage chunks, and peel the winter squash and dice into bite-size pieces. To cook this recipe, we use a cast-iron wok, which holds a whole chicken and all of the fixings perfectly. When we finish with the meat, we use the wok to create a healthy, delicious, full-bodied broth that we enjoy for many meals. Angie McGinness, Mandan Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative

North Dakota LIVING still values North Dakota cooks! Readers, please continue to send us:  Cookbooks and recipes;  Tips on great dining spots across North Dakota; and  Family dining traditions. North Dakota LIVING pays $50 upon publication. To qualify, we need recipes unique to those we’ve published in the past, along with your complete contact information. Send your recipes to North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727, or e-mail your submission to cdevney@ndarec.com. We look forward to hearing from you!  www.ndliving.com

Julie Garden-Robinson is an associate professor and food and nutrition specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. To learn more, visit www.ndsu.edu/food.

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 2 31

COURTESY PHOTO

PHOTOS BY J.C. BALCOM

RIVERBOUND FARM CHICKEN AND ROOT VEGETABLE BAKE

was a “locovore” when I was a child and didn’t even know it. In the summer, I would sneak out to our family’s garden to nab garden peas and raspberries at their peak ripeness. I’d pull up a carrot and wipe it off on my jeans before taking a bite. After all, I wasn’t a food safety specialist back then. My family often purchased meat Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., L.R.D. from a local producer and had it processed in a nearby town. We bought milk from the creamery a block away. Of course, we didn’t have an orange tree in our backyard, so we needed to supplement our food supply. Locovore was the Oxford Dictionary’s “word of the year” in 2007. The term usually refers to eating food produced within 100 miles. Being a locovore has many advantages. Enjoying locally produced foods supports the local economy. Fresh fruits and vegetables that do not spend a lot of time in transit often are at peak freshness and nutritional value. While varieties developed for cross-country shipping may be chosen for their “durability,” the varieties grown for local sales often are selected for best taste. Food that travels less is handled by fewer people and could be safer, too. Consider these tips to keep your fresh produce at its safest and most nutritious:  Rinse all produce with running water, using a vegetable brush if necessary. Do not use soap.  Limit peeling to preserve fiber content.  Serve cut-up produce nested in containers over ice.  Steam, broil, microwave or cook vegetables in a small amount of water.  Avoid boiling. Prolonged exposure to water and heat can break down nutrients that are unstable at high temperatures.  Serve foods promptly. The longer they stand, the more nutrients are lost.  Visit the NDSU Extension Service’s “garden to table” publications at www. ag.ndsu.edu/food. Until next time, learn more about your local foods. 

FA R M B Y L I N E by Al Gustin

The crops we grow I

PHOTO BY LAYN MUDDER

f you were asked to describe a scene that depicts agriculture in North Dakota today, what would it be? I was asked that question recently. After giving it some thought, several scenes come to mind. One is a large field of corn – without weeds. It’s been suggested that one of the most important developments in agriculture in the past century was the discovery of hybrid corn. Surely, one of the most important developments of the past 40 years has been the discovery of genetically modified crops. Farmers first planted biotech crops in 1996, but they now account for most of the corn and soybean acres, not only in the United States, but in North Dakota. Crops have been genetically modified to resist insect pests and to allow for one-pass, broad-spectrum weed control. That’s why that field of corn in my vision would be clean. Because they have fewer weed and insect problems, genetically modified crops have allowed farmers to raise more bushels per acre and, importantly, more bushels per inch of available water. As crops are now being genetically manipulated to be droughttolerant, the yield per available inch of water will increase further. And crops like corn will be grown in

Al Gustin

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

even more areas. My vision is a field of corn, although a number of crops could be pictured to represent the dramatic shift in cropping patterns over these past 40 years. Since 1970, the state’s sunflower acreage has grown eight-fold. Soybean acreage has gone from about 200,000 acres to around 4 million, a 20-fold increase. In recent years, canola has been planted on about a million acres. Any of those could represent the big changes we’ve seen. But corn is the logical choice. Not only have corn acres gone from 130,000 in 1970 to more than 2 million acres in recent years, but grain corn is now being commonly grown in areas of the state where it was unheard of 40 years ago. What’s more, the increase in corn production has coincided with the growth in ethanol production in the state. So a corn field represents not only a change in cropping patterns, but the evolution of an entire value-based industry. My picture of a corn field might have an ethanol plant in the background. Forty years ago, you’d have to go to southeast North Dakota to take that picture. Then, almost threefourths of the corn acres were in the southeast reporting district. Today, that large field of clean corn, in front of an ethanol plant, can be taken in western North Dakota. It’s been a dramatic change.  Al Gustin is farm news director for KBMR and KFYR Radio in Bismarck.

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N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 2 33

MARKETPLACE FOR • R E A L E S TAT E • FA R M & R A N C H • WA N T E D • F O R S A L E • GENERAL INTEREST TOWN — CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES — FAMILY & SCHOOL REUNIONS — Commemorative custom plates, spoons, bells, playing cards, pens, cups, Christmas balls, T-shirts, throws, napkins, sweatshirts, bookmarks and crocks. Liberal credit terms. FREE literature, samples available. Serving since 1972. KLEPETKA ADV., PO Box 931, Aberdeen, SD 57402. Ph. (605) 225-0621. REAL ESTATE FOR SALE • Absolutely beautiful Little Missouri River ranch west of Grassy Butte on 2,360 deeded acres, plus 250-head national grasslands grazing permit. More than $500,000 in recent improvements. New home, second home, new shop, etc. Great hunting ranch allowing for bonus income. $2,800,000 • Beulah sports bar/restaurant with very spacious banquet room/game room. This beautiful 7,500-square-foot facility sells with all equipment, furniture, ﬁxtures and real estate. Listed for sale at $595,000, approximately 50 percent of replacement cost. Contact: Don Schmeling, Continental Real Estate, Dickinson. Call (701) 260-5555 or (701) 483-4400. View properties online at www.donschmeling.com.

Your Advertising Decisions? Avoiding

STEP 1: Don’t panic STEP 2: Take the bag oﬀ your head STEP 3: Call Clark at North Dakota LIVING STEP 4: Advertise where you’ll get the most for your hard-earned dollars

For more information or space reservations contact: Clark A. Van Horn North Dakota LIVING (800) 234-0518 or (701) 667-6436 Fax: (701) 663-3745 e-mail: cvanhorn@ndarec.com or visit ndliving.com

North by Northwest

May 29-June 8 Featuring Leavenworth, Seattle, Tacoma, Victoria & Vancouver

Roll’n on the River

July 17-22 Experience two days on the Mississippi Call For Details

abtoursonline.com abtours@srt.com

701-852-8144 or 800-440-2690

Conveniently located near shopping!

Bismarck Suites 888-774-5566

NORWAY 2012

Bismarck Inn 800-456-6388

Fargo Suites 877-239-4303

Coastal Cruise – a new adventure Choose from 6,7,13, and 14 day cruises 34 ports of call Experience everyday life in Norway Mouth watering meals • Fantastic Northern Lights Land of the Midnight Sun We’ve been there…We can help!

ALASKA – 2012

Globe Travel

(701) 252-5757

FFF

Expires 9/5/12. Code 4.

11$00 OO

1$ 0 OF F

Earth Energy • 406-892-2505

Cruises • Cruise/Tours • Independent Tours and we’ve been there too. Call us!

www.expresswayhotels.com Advanced reservations required. Not valid during conventions, tournaments or special events. Excludes economy singles. No other discounts apply.

SOLAR, WIND, HYDRO:

Custom system design, expert technical support, best equipment, lowest prices in the industry. We have it all. We know our products. We know our business. Complete alternative energy source.

www.GlobeVacations.com

800-365-9737

E-mail: globetravel@globetravel1.webmail.com P.O. Box 1529 • Jamestown, ND 58401

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

FREE

Soon the “Mark” of the Beast will be enforced as Church and State unite! Let the Bible reveal. FREE BOOKS/DVDS. The Bible Says, P.O.B. 99, Lenoir City, TN 37771 thebiblesaystruth@yahoo.com • 1-888-211-1715 www.ndarec.com

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

T R AV E L • O P P O R T U N I T I E S

APIDSET METAL BUILDINGS

At Rapidset Buildings we design, engineer, detail and ship prefabricated steel buildings to your building site, serving professional builders, steel erectors and pre-engineered metal building resellers 800.793.8555

Let the ‘Foam Ranger’ rescue you from high energy costs!

Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation Locally Owned & Operated Bismarck, ND

Residential & Commercial

(701) 391-3120 - Mark (701) 400-7618 - Ken

www.insulationsystemsllp.com

• Strengthens building structural integrity • Twice the insulating ability per inch of fiberglass or open cell foam • Pole barn specialists • $$$$ Energy savings pays for investiture within 3 1/2 years

FARMERS & RANCHERS Are you looking for assistance with: ➢Beginning Farmer programs? ➢Agricultural loan applications? ➢Adding value to your farm/ranch production? ➢Diversifying your farm/ranch operation? ➢Financial or other problems?

North Dakota Mediation Service will help you sort through your options. For confidential assistance, call

(800) 642-4752

BIG TRACTOR PARTS STEIGER TRACTOR SPECIALIST Red & Green 10-25% savings on new replacement parts for your Steiger drive train. We rebuild axles, transmissions and drop boxes with one-year warranty. 50% savings on used parts. We buy running or damaged Steigers.

1-800-982-1769 www.bigtractorparts.com

Profitable 30 year agricultural related business in southwestern North Dakota. Business is well managed and has maintained its position within the market area. Well established customer relationships makes this company an ongoing success. No finer turnkey operation. Equipment, land/building and inventory. Opportunities like this are once in a life time $350,000. Call Andra Miller ND Real Estate Brokers, 701-527-1012

WE BUY MINERALS We pay cash for producing or non-producing mineral interests.

Call Us Today!

1-888-735-5337 Black Hills dream properties for sale! Vacation homes and investment land, move south for the winter!

Doug Hoff-ReMax in the Hills 605-642-2500 or 605.484.8688

We Fix Saddles! Put 15 years of professional leathercraft experience to work for you! No job too big or too small. Please Call Shawn Kramer, SANDHILLS SADDLERY 701-537-5592 OR 1-800-618-5592

POST FRAME BUILDINGS COMPLETE MATERIAL PACKAGES

26x32x8 ................... $5,923.00 30x40x10 ................. $7,840.00 36x48x12 ............... $10,326.00 40x64x14 ............... $14,825.00 Crews and more sizes and options available.

1-800-658-5565

westernstarbuildings.com

COMMERCIAL • FARM • RESIDENTIAL • EQUESTRIAN YEAR ‘ROUND CONSTRUCTION • EXPERIENCE • DEPENDABILITY Area dealer: Construction

with R&R Dave Rud • (701) 337-5169

1-800-547-8188 • www.constructionwithrandr.com Best pricing for quality building every day! Call today for your free estimate.

www.ndliving.com

 Acme Tools .................................. 33  Advanced Surgical Arts Center.... 12  Aging & Disability Resource Link .............................. 12  Bank of North Dakota .................. 13  Basin Electric Power Cooperative ...................... 19  Cowell Steel Structures Inc. ....... 29  Dakota Carrier Network ....Inside back cover  Days Inn, Bismarck ...................... 25  Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort 29  Deines Mfg. ................................ 18  Design Homes Inc. ..................... 27  Grand International Inn, Minot ..... 29  Henry Building Systems .............. 27  Jensen Travel ......................... 13, 25  Judy’s Leisure Tours Inc. ............ 29  KFYR Radio ................................. 32  Kvamme Travel & Cruises ........... 28  Legacy Steel Buildings ................ 33  Luter’s Supply ............................. 28  Mid Dakota Clinic ...........Back cover  Naomi Rossow Realty LLC .......... 18  ND Farmers Union Tours ............. 18  Prairie Public Radio ..................... 26  Pride of Dakota ............................ 27  R&S Building Systems Inc. ........ 28  Radisson Hotel, Bismarck ............ 25  Satrom Travel & Tour............. 18, 27  Spickler Ranch............................. 33  Spine & Pain Center .................... 12  Trinity Health ........Inside front cover  Trinity Regional Eyecare .............. 13  West Dakota Chevy Dealers ........ 5  Women’s Way .............................. 25

N O R T H D A K O T A L I V I N G  M A R C H 2 0 1 2 35

o f li e l c irapproaches, A s spring f the earth

CO-OP COUNTRY

begins to warms, trees bud, flowers emerge and the cycle of life begins anew. Thanks, North Dakota LIVING kids, for sharing your joy as you witness new life on the farm.  BENEFICIAL BIRD: Evyn Dick likes guinea chicks because they are soft and cuddly. Her grandma and grandpa like them because they eat wood ticks. Evyn is the daughter of Tiffiney and Lee Dick and the granddaughter of Ralph and Sandy Dick. Tiffiney submitted the photo; she and Lee are members of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative. LAP DOG: Who needs a dog when your lamb resembles a Dalmatian? Brooke Blessum is the daughter of Alan and Karleen Blessum, who are members of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative. Karleen submitted the photo. SLURP!: Spade, a bottle calf, thinks Grady Fjeldheim tastes like milk. Grady is the son of Kent and Brandee Fjeldheim, and grandson of Danny Hague and Brenda Hague and Earl and Judy Fjeldheim. Grady’s aunt and uncle, Justin and Rose Preszler, submitted the photo; they are members of BEK Communications Cooperative.

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Delicately wrapped and shipped as priority, Louis Brady Lemer is the most precious package received by parents Linnea Kolschefski and Brady Lemer, who are members of Verendrye Electric Cooperative. Linnea submitted the photo.

North Dakota LIVING is seeking photos of kids in playgrounds, bathrooms and sports! Of course, we also want other family favorites for upcoming Co-op Country pages. We’ll select and print them as space allows. Those whose submissions appear on this page will receive a check for $10 following publication of the magazine. We prefer high-resolution digital photos e-mailed to cdevney@ndarec.com, but you may also mail entries to CO-OP COUNTRY, North Dakota LIVING, P.O. Box 727, Mandan ND 58554-0727. Readers, North Dakota LIVING will not publish low-quality photos such as those taken on cell phones. When submitting photos, please include the following information: your complete name and address, your daytime phone number, and the name of your electric and/or telephone co-op. We will contact you prior to publication. NOTE: Please keep a duplicate photo, negative or file; the magazine is no longer able to return submitted photos.  36

MARCH 2012  NORTH DAKOTA LIVING

www.ndarec.com

Network failure leaves you completely in the dark. if you prefer a brighter outlook, tap into DCN’s virtual network and experience 99.999% reliability. our smart technology spots potential dangers and reroutes your data at the first sign of trouble, so you always have service. Businessability = your ability to increase productivity and build your business—available when you partner with DCN. Wide Area Network | High Speed Internet | Data Storage | Carrier Ethernet Service | Co-location Facilities

800-814-3333 • www.DakotaCarrier.com

TurN This over for a BrighT iDea.

Vein Center

You know how you want your legs to look.

We know how to make it happen.

Don't let your leg veins cause you any more pain or embarrassment. As an expert in problem veins, Dr. Steven Hamar offers comprehensive options you need, starting with conservative, non-invasive treatments to more advanced surgical techniques - like the minimally invasive TRIVEX system that achieves a more complete removal of problem veins. Call the Vein Center today to learn more and to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hamar, one of the doctors you know and trust at Mid Dakota Clinic.

Steven Hamar, MD

The doctors you know and trust.

Appointments: 530-6162 or 800-472-2113, ext. 6162 middakotaclinic.com

Mid Dakota Clinic Vein Center

PrimeCare

401 N 9th St., Bismarck, ND